Frustration is mounting for Boston Public Schools parents.
City officials have proposed another round of school closures this week for the 2027-2028 school year including Lee Academy Pilot School, Community Academy of Science and Health and Another Course to College.
“They’re closing schools, but then what are the benefits?” asked parent Suleyca Soto.
Leaders defended the proposed measure Wednesday.
“We’re not just about trying to close or reduce seats to slash dollars,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “This is truly about delivering the highest-quality student experience.”
Mayor Michelle Wu spotlighted next steps for Boston Public Schools as she prepares for her second term in office.
“We are needing and wanting to create high-quality seats,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper of Boston Public Schools.
If the plan should proceed, 850 students would be impacted at those three campuses, with other schools like Henderson Inclusion School scaled down in the realignment.
“It was a real slap in the face to the students that they say that they’re trying to serve,” said Soto.
Members of the Boston City Council also reacted to the proposal.
“How do we make sure these kids transition into the school that’s still helpful for the needs that they have?” asked Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, who represents District 3.
City Councilor Enrique Pepén of District 5 pointed to Another Course to College and the impact of losing it in Hyde Park.
“If this is going to happen, we’ve got to look at increasing the number of seats at New Mission High School to give more students an opportunity to go there,” he said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do that.”
Parents said they are devastated by the plan, which will close four schools and merge two others.
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But Wu and Skipper maintain these cuts are needed, especially as enrollment numbers continue to fall.
“These are just difficult, hard decisions, but they’re based on data,” Skipper said.
Parents acknowledge the challenge for Boston Public Schools, but they are still calling for more transparency as the district seeks to shrink its overall footprint.
“They continue to, over and over, not include families from the beginning,” said Soto.
The most recent cuts were presented to the School Committee on Wednesday, with a vote yet to be scheduled.
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